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Rudaw Net
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Who is behind recent rocket, drone attacks in Kurdistan Region, disputed territories?
Also in Iraq Car accident kills four in Diyala province Turkey approves increased water flow to aid Iraq amid growing crisis Unfinished Stories: End of Mesopotamia Iraq urges Turkey to increase water flow amid severe crisis A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran-aligned groups have denied involvement in recent rocket and drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region and territories disputed between Baghdad and Erbil. Several of their leaders and affiliated politicians have publicly denied any involvement, blaming either Islamic State (ISIS) remnants or political scapegoating ahead of Iraq's November elections. A string of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks have hit the Kurdistan Region and several disputed territories between Erbil and Baghdad since the start of the week, with no group claiming responsibility. The incidents come amid heightened tensions and diminished air defense capabilities following the Iran-Israel conflict in June, which left much of Iraq's radar infrastructure inoperable. A source from Iraq's defense ministry told Rudaw on condition of anonymity that the radar systems remain severely compromised. 'Out of three radars, two have been taken out of service during the Iran-Israel war. One was in Baghdad and the other in Nasiriyah. Now, only the western sector radar is working, and that's not enough to track these objects,' the source said. Intelligence units in the Defense Ministry and other security agencies have launched investigations, but the source warned that the lack of functioning radar is delaying tracking and response efforts. The renewed drone activity follows a US-brokered ceasefire that ended a 12-day war between Iran and Israel. During the conflict, numerous drones and missiles flew through Iraqi airspace, including the Kurdistan Region, where several drones fell or were intercepted, and a renewed series of similar incidents began again on Sunday. Recent drone and rocket attacks On Tuesday, two explosive-laden drones were intercepted over Sulaimani province, with one crashing in the Tasluja area. No casualties were reported, according to local officials. That same day, a drone struck the Darkar camp housing displaced Yazidis about 36 kilometers northwest of Duhok. The Kurdistan Region's Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD) said the drone was laden with explosives and caused material damage. Civil defense teams from Zakho reported that three cabins at the camp caught fire as a result of the crash. No injuries were reported. In Kirkuk, Governor Rebwar Taha said three Katyusha rockets struck the city overnight. One hit a residential home, while two others landed between the civilian and military zones of Kirkuk International Airport. No fatalities were reported. In Salahaddin province, three people were injured on Sunday when an explosion hit the Baiji oil refinery. While some media outlets claimed the site was targeted by 12 drones, Saif Muhannad, head of the Salahaddin provincial council's media office, said only two drones were confirmed, and there is no evidence of a coordinated 12-drone attack. 'This isn't the first time the base has been targeted, but there are some armed groups that are dominant in that area,' he said. Militia groups deny involvement, blame ISIS Mahdi al-Kaabi, a political committee member of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, an Iran-aligned Iraqi militia group, denied responsibility for the recent attacks. 'We, as the Nujaba movement, are not participating in any way in these recent attacks carried out with missiles and drones,' he told Rudaw, adding that there is coordination between the resistance groups and the Iraqi government to prevent military escalations. Kaabi suggested the accusations against militias are politically motivated. 'Pointing fingers at us and other resistance front groups is somewhat related to the approaching elections,' he said, referring to Iraq's upcoming parliamentary vote set for November. Mohammed al-Bayati, a senior Badr Organization official in Kirkuk, also denied involvement. 'Never do the Popular Mobilization Forces [PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi] and Badr attempt to carry out attacks in that manner, especially at this sensitive time,' he said, suggesting that ISIS militants, who remain active in some regions, may be behind the attacks. ISIS, which seized large parts of Iraq in 2014 before being territorially defeated in 2017, continues to carry out hit-and-run attacks from remote mountain and desert areas. In Diyala, Turki al-Attabi, a member of the provincial council, said that no evidence has emerged linking the government-affiliated and Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to any of the drone or rocket attacks. 'If any necessary evidence is obtained, we will inform the public,' he said. Malik Mohammed contributed to this report.
Rudaw Net
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
UNAMI condemns ‘attack' on Yazidi IDP Camp in Duhok, urges probe
Also in Kurdistan Baby born with two faces dies shortly after birth in Erbil Peshmerga unification enters final phase, set for completion by year-end: Advisor Kurdistan parliament to enter summer recess despite political stalemate Erbil emergency water project enters testing phase A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Tuesday strongly condemned an explosion that struck the Darkar camp housing internally displaced Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region's Duhok province, calling for a full investigation into what it described as an 'attack.' In a statement on X, UNAMI said it 'strongly condemns the explosion that targeted a camp for Internally Displaced Persons [IDPs] in Duhok,' emphasizing the need for the 'protection and refraining from targeting of displacement camps - including the Darkar camp for Yazidi IDPs.' The mission called on 'the relevant authorities in Iraq to investigate the incident' and 'to hold accountable those responsible for the attack, which is in clear violation of international law and human rights.' UNAMI also stressed the urgency of adopting 'necessary and urgent measures to prevent the recurrence of such attacks.' Earlier in the day, an explosive-laden drone crashed into the Darkar camp, located about 36 kilometers northwest of Duhok city, according to the Kurdistan Region's Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD), also known as Kurdistan CT. The drone strike caused material damage but resulted in no casualties. The camp shelters Yazidis displaced from the Shingal (Sinjar) district in Nineveh, following the Islamic State's (ISIS) brutal assault in 2014. 'It is the first time our camp and subdistrict have experienced such an incident,' said Jawhar Mohammed, head of the Darkar subdistrict, told Rudaw on Tuesday, adding that the source of the drone remains unknown. 'A large number of refugees are still here. The drone fell near the camp's school. There were no human casualties, but a fire broke out and was contained,' he added. Civil defense teams from Duhok province's Zakho city reported that three cabins at the camp caught fire as a result of the drone crash. Importantly, the incident in Duhok occurred on the same day as a separate security violation in Kirkuk. Kirkuk Governor Rebwar Taha said that three Katyusha rockets struck the city overnight. One rocket hit a residential house - causing no injuries - while two others landed between the civilian and military sections of Kirkuk International Airport. According to airport administration officials, the rockets struck at around 11:30 pm local time, injuring one airport employee.
Shafaq News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq probes attacks on Kirkuk Airport, Baiji refinery
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Erbil/Kirkuk/Saladin Iraqi security authorities have launched an official investigation into coordinated attacks that struck Kirkuk International Airport and the Baiji oil refinery late Monday, amid rising concern over the security of strategic infrastructure in northern Iraq. A senior security source told Shafaq News that top-level directives were issued to form a high-ranking committee tasked with uncovering the origin and trajectory of the projectiles and drone involved in the two incidents. The investigation will focus on determining whether the attacks were linked and identifying the parties responsible. The Kirkuk airport was hit by three projectiles. Early reports suggested a civilian sustained a minor injury, but officials later confirmed that the airport's infrastructure remained fully functional. Kirkuk Governor Rebwar Taha confirmed the formation of a local investigative committee and linked the attack to a recent counterterrorism operation. 'The strike came after our security forces successfully eliminated several ISIS members on the outskirts of Kirkuk.' Simultaneously, Iraqi air defenses downed an unidentified drone flying at low altitude near the Baiji oil refinery in Saladin province. No casualties or damage were reported. Security forces and engineering units from Iraq's National Security Service were dispatched to the site to analyze the drone's type and point of origin. The dual attacks prompted heightened security measures at vital installations across northern Iraq, with military units reinforcing protective deployments at energy and aviation facilities.
Shafaq News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq probes rocket, drone attacks on Kirkuk Airport, Baiji refinery
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Erbil/Kirkuk/Saladin Iraqi security authorities have launched an official investigation into coordinated attacks that struck Kirkuk International Airport and the Baiji oil refinery late Monday, amid rising concern over the security of strategic infrastructure in northern Iraq. A senior security source told Shafaq News that top-level directives were issued to form a high-ranking committee tasked with uncovering the origin and trajectory of the projectiles and drone involved in the two incidents. The investigation will focus on determining whether the attacks were linked and identifying the parties responsible. The Kirkuk airport was hit by three projectiles. Early reports suggested a civilian sustained a minor injury, but officials later confirmed that the airport's infrastructure remained fully functional. Kirkuk Governor Rebwar Taha confirmed the formation of a local investigative committee and linked the attack to a recent counterterrorism operation. 'The strike came after our security forces successfully eliminated several ISIS members on the outskirts of Kirkuk.' Simultaneously, Iraqi air defenses downed an unidentified drone flying at low altitude near the Baiji oil refinery in Saladin province. No casualties or damage were reported. Security forces and engineering units from Iraq's National Security Service were dispatched to the site to analyze the drone's type and point of origin. The dual attacks prompted heightened security measures at vital installations across northern Iraq, with military units reinforcing protective deployments at energy and aviation facilities.
Rudaw Net
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Three rockets target Kirkuk
Also in Iraq Iraq president appoints new Federal Supreme Court chief amid judicial turmoil Turkmen Front supporters block Erbil-Kirkuk highway over Kurdish appointment Kurdish, Iraqi forces kill 'three terrorist' in Kirkuk Erbil, Baghdad edge toward oil export deal despite oil volume dispute: Sources A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least three Katyusha rockets targeted the disputed northern city of Kirkuk and its airport late Monday, the governor said, injuring one person with investigations underway. Loud explosions were heard in Kirkuk at 11:30 pm on Monday as three rockets struck the city – two at the airbase in Kirkuk International Airport and one in a residential neighborhood. 'We are waiting for the relevant authorities to carry out their work. [The attack] caused no casualties. Only material damage occurred to a house,' Kirkuk Governor Rebwar Taha told Rudaw at the incident site in the central al-Uruba neighborhood. He confirmed that the attack did not disrupt airport traffic and that all flights are operating normally. One rocket struck a residential house while the family was at home. Its owner told Rudaw that 'we were sitting at home when a loud sound was heard. Thank God, there was no loss of life.' In a late Tuesday statement, Kirkuk International Airport said that the rockets 'caused light injuries to one person and no damage occurred to the aircraft runways.' Abdullah Mirwais, a member of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, told Rudaw that the source of the rockets is so far unknown.
